7 wounded by gunfire in Balubad demolition

ANGELES CITY — At least seven people were reportedly wounded by gunfire after chaos erupted during a demolition of houses at Sitio Balubad in Barangay Anunas this city on Tuesday, March 12,

2024.

During the incident, an Olongapo City-based journalist went missing.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines-Olongapo Chapter appealed to the Angeles City police and the city government to help locate and facilitate the release of Olongapo City news anchor Rowena Quejada.

Human rights groups, including the Peasant Watch CL, claimed that the seven residents were injured from gunshots that came from policemen and security guards hired by Clarkhills Properties Corporation.

The community is now in chaos as authorities push through with the eviction of settlers inside the 73hectare land.

“We demand an end to the unjust demolition perpetrated by land grabbers like Clarkhills Properties Corp., who must be held accountable for their human rights violations,” Peasant Watch CL said.

Angeles City officials, headed by Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr, earlier met with residents affected by the demolition to discuss possible expropriation proceedings for over seven hectares of land their houses occupy.

Clarkhills claimed ownership of the land following the cancellation of the residents’Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA).

The city government previously said it will use its power to expropriate the properties in Barangay Anunas since Clarkhills allegedly did not adhere to the agreement of presenting concrete plans before conducting the demolition.

Lawyer Gener Endona, spokesperson of Clarkhills, earlier clarified that the city government was informed about the demolition of commercial buildings and large houses in Barangay Balubad.

He said that local officials were told that

Clarkhills will proceed with the implementation of the Writ of Demolition by fencing vacant lots and demolishing commercial buildings and big houses, without touching small houses and those involving the indigents.

Endona said Clarkhills expressed its intention to donate land to the affected residents and conduct relocation through the 4P's program of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development ( DH SUD) .

Clarkhills said it respects the local government's decision to claim the land while asserting their right to defend their property.

"Your decision to expropriate the land to award them to actual occupants is within the right of the LGU to file. However, Clarkhills also has the right to defend its own property from involuntary taking, which should be for 'public purpose," the firm stated.

As of press time, the NUJP said that Rowena Quejada of K5 News Olongapo FM has been found, and is now safe.

The group said Quejada was covering the violent demolition when she was confronted by members of the demolition team, who were wearing bonnets.

One of the men even pointed a gun at Quejada, telling her to stop taking videos, according to the NUJP.

The man also hurled invective, calling the media, "demonyo" (devil) for reporting about the ongoing land dispute.

The armed men reportedly took Quejada's cellphone, shoulder bag and wallet containing cash.

A Japanese national who witnessed the incident helped Quejada, and hid the latter inside his home.

The journalist stayed with the Japanese family until the tension eased.